Show Review: The Duke Spirit

U.K. band “The Duke Spirit” made a stop in Indianapolis @ Radio Radio in Fountain Square.  Many of us were eager to see The Duke Spirit, I even met someone who has already seen then six times previously.  Vocalist Liela was sick that day, revealed that she almost canceled the show… but her energy made us forget that she was even sick. I drooled over her voice, stage presence, looks, and her gold shoes.

They will be on David Letterman tomorrow night, so tune in!
http://www.myspace.com/thedukespirit
(they used my photos on their myspace! sweet!)

click image for more from the set

-Rumi S

Show Review: Deerhoof & TV on the Radio

Oh my 3rd post today! Can you guys handle it???

I feel spoiled for seeing so many great shows lately. Thursday, I drove down to Bloomington to see Deerhoof supported by Experimental Dental School and AU. Sunday, I got to see & hear TV on the Radio magic.

Deerhoof:
SRSLY who doesn’t like little Japanese girls? tee hee (^___^) srsly tho. Deerhoof is one of the most energetic bands I have seen. You can tell the band has so much fun on stage and the energy is passed on to the crowd. Singer/Bassist Satomi Matsuzaki is probably not even 5 ft, but she rocks the stage hard. The band produces a supah happy fun fantastic kawaii experimental-pop sound which becomes even more kawaii when Satomi’s vocals come in. Satomi incorporates cute dance moves while singing Japanese/English and you just want to jump up and down for their whole set. Okay, so I’m a little Japanese girl… who wants to start a band?

click image for more

TV on the Radio:
Wow. TVOTR really brings it. This band definitely ranks in the top 3 of all the bands I’ve seen this year. I’m sure who has seen them agrees. Singer Tunde Adebimpe’s vocals are somehow powerful and sensitive at the same time. The band is intense and forceful, they had no problem pleasing Indianapolis. My favorite moment of the night was when they played “Wolf like Me.” Sounds cheesy, but I felt like the band and the crowd came together… Especially when Tunde walked over to the crowd and the crowd reached out to the band. I have never seen The Vogue so packed and so lively… ever.

click image for more

ps: MPM contributor Mayowa is not in TVOTR nor Bloc Party.

—Rumi S

Show Review: MSTRKRFT

My Pleasure, Miss! contributors (sans Mayowa, miss u xoxo) hopped on a car and drove up to Chicago Tuesday evening to get our fix of some BNGRZ. At first we were all worried if we would get there in time with the rain and the confusion from all the construction… but we made it to the windy city safely. We chugged our PBRs real quick for a quick buzz and entered the Double Door.

Opening acts: Black Holes, Congorock, and Felix Cartal gradually raised the temperature in the Double Door by getting the crowd to start dancing, preparing for the big act. By the time MSTRKRFT came on, the dance floor was packed. MSTRKRFT had a great light show with a green laser light and TV screens placed behind them and on their DJ booth. While chugging down Crown Royal, MSTRKRFT delivered originals (VUVUVU, Work on You) and remixes (Wow [Kylie Minogue], D.A.N.C.E. [Justice]) and caused a dance dance revolution at the Double Door. We were all sweaty and gross, condensation on my camera lens, but that didn’t matter at all. We were having a good fucking amazing time and that was all that mattered.

check out more pixxx: HERE

-Rumi S

Show Review: Ryan Adams and The Cardinals

click image for the rest of the set

Thursday evening, I headed to the Murat Theatre in Indianapolis to see Ryan Adams and The Cardinals. I got to shoot photos of him for the first three songs. (btw, i h8z teh “3 song rule,” got 2 load dem pixxx) Then I got escorted out the exit, wtf. Usually, when venues have the three song rule they let me stay for the rest of the show… lame. But at least I got to hear “Wonderwall.” For those who have never heard his cover of Oasis’ original “Wonderwall,” DO IT NOW. I think Ryan Adams’ kicks Oasis’ British buttocks handsdown. What do you guys think?

I wanted to embed a poll in this post… But that would be totes LJ-licious of me so nevermind that.

I really wish I got to stay longer… I was really enjoying myself during the three songs that I got to witness. He is a great muscian but reminds me of our Conor Sebastian too much.  By the way, I have never seen so many plaid shirt wearing indie-rockers in Indianapolis until this show. Miss u Dowman <3

Ryan Adams – Wonderwall

-Rumi S

LayFlats

Did you Lafayetterz go to LayFlats this weekend?  I thought it was pretty neat, it’s really exciting when (West) Lafayette area actually has things to do. I thought the whole festival was put together very well. Great local bands/artists performed and great artwork was showcased over the Tippecanoe Ampitheatre. It’s great to support, be a part of local events like this.

My favorites were:

Why I Like Robins
(shout out to FOOF! He’s the sexy man on the drums!)

Mike Reeb and the Consequences

Benjamin Ezra

Green Room Rockers

++more

If you missed it this year, make sure you go next year if you are in the area :]

-Rumi S

Show Review: Murder By Death

Last night, I went to see Bloomington’s finest Murder By Death play a show at Birdy’s in Indianapolis. They were joined by Cabin and State. The show was full of energy (and cigarette smoke); I pretty much wanted to beat myself for not seeing Murder By Death earlier. For those who aren’t familiar with Murder By Death, the four-piece band includes an (electric) cello player. && boy, she rocks the stage! Being an “orch-dork” during my junior high and early high school years (azn in orchestra, how typical), I never really saw orchestral instruments as instruments to rock out… but last night completely changed my view on that. I am a heavy listener of the first album, Like The Exorcist… and Who Will Survive…, which is a very dark album. Last night I heard songs from the other two albums and gathered that they have challenged themselves to a more punk meets country genre. (I don’t even know how to “label” music anymore. Maybe I can add -core and make up a new genre?! O wait, that is like sooooo 5 years ago. lawlzzz)

Here are photos:

[++ MOAR MOAR MOAR!]

Murder By Death – Flamenco’s Fuckin’ Easy.mp3

-Rumi S

Show Review: Tapes ‘n Tapes

When I found out Minneapolis band Tapes ‘n Tapes will be performing in Indianapolis, I promised myself that I would go. && I did :]
I impulsively bought their album, The Loon, two years ago when I was looking for a new CD to listen to. I rarely buy CDs by impulse, but I had read great reviews about them and was feeling spontaneous. I immediately inserted the CD in CD player of my car and it stayed in there for weeks.
The show was absolutely great. Tapes ‘n Tapes has a great sound that makes you want to shake your bootays. Definitely check them out of if you like lively Indie bands.

[++whole set]

Tapes ‘n Tapes – Insistor.mp3

-Rumi S